Seeking advice...

MadDogWoman_2

Hi Sofa_Bean

When I opened my new bank account we weren't asked for a reason for the new bank account.

The only downer was that because of the level of our OD's with our old bank we have only been able to get a basic account - no debit card or cheque book.

Are any of your utility bills in your name?

Could you go in and ask what you need to do regards ID?

MDW

sira_2

Hi there, i am on a DMP & opened up an Alliance & Leicester basic account by telephone which you can find on their website. They didnt ned any id, nor did they ask any details of previous bank accounts or our financial status. Got a debit card and a cheque book too which most basic account dont give you the cheque book so was well happy. I don't have an overdraft but it does have a savings account to run along side it which is great 'cus i put aside money for my daughters school bus fees & if i get any overtime at work it goes in there for a rainy day! Oh & it took less than a week to set up!

sofa_bean

Thanks for the advice, MDW and sira. We won't be too worried if we can't get a cheque book, although debit cards would be useful...we're now quite happy to be strictly cash only!
Apart from bank statements etc (:eek: ) I have water and council tax bills in my name, hopefully they would be accepted as ID?
Unfortunately, Alliance & Leicester isn't an option for us as that's who my OH banks with at the moment and has a loan and an OD with them. I currently bank with Lloyds. OH also has a loan and a CC with HSBC. We're thinking of trying either Natwest or Nationwide for our new joint account, so any feedback on either of these two would be appreciated...

chevalier

Hi there here are a couple of thoughts
1) You have priority and non priority debts. Priority ones are those you pay come hell or high water. These are:
rent
water
electric
gas
council tax (which you can pay over 12 months not 10 if you ask)
food
telephone/broadbanc
They are priority because they
keep a roof over head
keep you clean
keep you warm
keep you out of prison
keep you alive!
keep you connected/ help with training
(note I did not say paying ntl/sky ie having it is a priority:D )

ANY OTHER debt is non priority debt. You pay the priority ones first, and then whatever is left over you pro rata amongst your other creditors. This is the basis of a self administered DMP. But it is much less stressful if you let Payplan/CCCS do the chasing around for you.

Ref the loss of CTC. As he is still your dependant, do you not get an increase in working tax credit? Sorry don't know how this works but is worth asking. Also if you are on a low income, I thought there was extra help you could get to keep young people in training? Or is that only if they go to college?

As regards a new bank account, I opened a Smile account and I don't remember providing any id. Whatever account you decide upon, don't forget to look on www.quidco.com to see if your prospective bank/building society is doing a cash back deal.

On a similar tack there are loads of survey/cash back sites around that you can earn a fair bit on if you are disciplined. The survey sites, pay in either cash or points, whilst the cashback sites pay money. You don't have to buy anything necessarily either.

If you want a list then let me know and I'll do another entry
chev

sofa_bean

thanks chevalier
We've decided to go with CCCS for our DMP, did everything online and now just waiting for the paperwork to come through for us to sign.
As regards CTC my son is now classified as 'earning' because he has got an apprenticeship with a company, even though he's pretty much earning peanuts at the moment. So, as an adult (18) in full-time employment (although he's college-based for his first year) he is no longer a dependant. He's paying us £30 a week for board, which is pretty much the most he can manage at the moment as he has to pay for some of his tools etc and all his rail costs himself.

chipbeck

sofa_bean wrote: »

thanks chevalier
We've decided to go with CCCS for our DMP, did everything online and now just waiting for the paperwork to come through for us to sign.
As regards CTC my son is now classified as 'earning' because he has got an apprenticeship with a company, even though he's pretty much earning peanuts at the moment. So, as an adult (18) in full-time employment (although he's college-based for his first year) he is no longer a dependant. He's paying us £30 a week for board, which is pretty much the most he can manage at the moment as he has to pay for some of his tools etc and all his rail costs himself.

Good luck to you I hope everything works out. I gave CCCS a try yesterday but my deficit was about £600 a month so they can't help me. I might try Payplan tomorrow.

sofa_bean

Morning all!
Just a quick question before this morning's trip into town to try and open a new bank account...
Does anyone know if Natwest or Nationwide are 'related' in any way to LloydsTSB, Alliance & Leicester or HSBC? (I know I saw a thread with a link in it to a page all about the relationships between different banks etc, but I can't remember where I saw it)
Many thanks

Mad_old_tory

They're both separate to lloyds, A+L and HSBC, Nationwide is a standalone building society and Natwest is part of RBS group.

jo1972

Hi Sofa :wave:

Just seen your thread for the first time, well done on being so proactive in sorting out your situation :T and welcome the the board

Just wondered when your second interview was so we can all cross our fingers for you??

Jo.x

chipbeck

sofa_bean wrote: »

thanks chevalier
We've decided to go with CCCS for our DMP, did everything online and now just waiting for the paperwork to come through for us to sign.
As regards CTC my son is now classified as 'earning' because he has got an apprenticeship with a company, even though he's pretty much earning peanuts at the moment. So, as an adult (18) in full-time employment (although he's college-based for his first year) he is no longer a dependant. He's paying us £30 a week for board, which is pretty much the most he can manage at the moment as he has to pay for some of his tools etc and all his rail costs himself.

Just a quicky Sofabean, did the CCCS site say it was sending out paperwork when you completed the SOA?